We finally find THE TACO PLACE in Manhattan, Thanks to Mr. Darin Bresnitz. (www.dinnerwiththeband.com) You have no idea how long it takes and how many places we have try in the city and every time results in disappointment. How come all the self-proclaimed “Authentic Mexican” places have Jerk Chicken on the menu? That’s not even Mexican, that’s Jamaican dumb ass. The closest we got is El Maguey Y La Tuna on Houston but that’s not cheap ass. And that’s why I am in total ecstasy when I discover Tehuitzingo.

This Mexican Deli Taco joint is named after Tehuitzingo, a municipality located in the Puebla province in Mexico. Since most of the Mexicans in New York came from Puebla that has its own cuisine and culture, Tehuitzingo offers a comfy, friendly and great traditional food for the homesick Mexican workers. When we are there, there is a lonely hombre drinking 12 packs of Corona by himself, relaxing and keep feeding the jukebox full of Mexican Norteño music.

RANTS & RAVES:

We are not talking about Tex-Mex here, we are talking about tacos that are as authentico as you can get on the street in Mexico. Trust me, Young drives cross-countries from San Francisco to Mexico to El Salvador for months. Here’s the list of tacos we keep chowing down until I feel like I am impregnated:

ENCHILADA (AL PASTOR) ($2)- marinated with a blend of different spices and gravy, then slowly cooked with pineapple and onion on top, I dunno why they call it Enchilada but its obviously Al pastor, anyhow I am not Mexican but this is absolutely Muy Delicioso!

BARBACOA ($2.50)- not only where the term barbecue originated from but also means slow cooking a whole sheep on open fire. In this version, marinades are not used and sauces are not applied until the meat is fully cooked, resulting in a Goat taco with great flavor and a bit dry in texture. Muy Bueno!

LENGUA ($2.50)- beef tongue slow cooked with spices (usually boiled), in their version they pan seared a bit to give it a charred crunchy surface, Mi Favorito!

CABEZA ($2.50)- head taco, head of a cow steamed over night, the bones and gristle removed and the meat shredded and stirred with its broth. The meat is well-cooked without much grease because its all steamed away. Hacerme El Drool!

BISTECK ($2)- Great beef taco that I cannot remember how it taste anymore and all I remember is I drank 3 Modelo and ate 4 tacos already. All I can recall is Uno Más Uno Más Por Favor Mamacita!

They also serve Menudo (beef tripe soup that fixes your hung over) on Saturday. This place is a real BYOB, basically you Buy Your Own Beer there at the deli and drink it there, we pay $2 per can for Modelo. And last, you don’t have to but please be sure to tip the Mamacitas in the kitchen well, they are more hardworking than you.

For the earlier review by Mr. Darin Bresnitz here’s the link:
http://www.cheapassfood.com/eats/show/56